judaism Flashcards
(107 cards)
define monotheism
The belief that there is only one God
define omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, omnibenevolent
All-knowing, present everywhere, all-powerful, and all loving
God is referred to as ______ , ________ and ________
Creator, lawgiver, and judge
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created heaven and earth”
What do different jews believe about what is stated in the Torah
Some Jews believe everything that is written in the Torah however some jews believe it is not meant to be taken literally
What is said in prayers in orthodox services to illustrate how God created the world?
“Blessed be he who spoke and the world existed”
2 beliefs about the Shekinah
Shekinah followed jews into exile and it is also a belief that the Shekinah never fully left the temple area and that is why Israel has special spiritual quality
Why are the beliefs about the Shekinah not contradictory?
This is because the Shekinah is not limited to just one place.
Jews believe that God gave Moses…
-all the laws and duties that are expected of Jews
What is the Messianic age?
A term used for a future time of peace on earth when there will be no violence, hunger, or crime.
References to the Messianic age in the Torah?
There are no direct references to the Messianic age in the Torah but scriptures are interpreted to explain what the Messianic age might be like
Isaiah 11:1-9
Portrays messianic age as a time in which the wolf shall live with the lamb and in which the lion, like the ox shall eat straw
For Jews, what is the first step to the Messianic age
-The coming of the Messiah and the Messianic age
For some Jews a belief in the _____ is _____ to their faith
- messiah
- central
Who was Maimonides and what was his belief in the Messiah?
Maimonedes was a Jewish Philosopher from the twelfth century. He stated a belief in the Messiah was one of the 13 principles in Judaism
What do Reform Jews believe that contradicts Maimonedes’ belief about the Messiah?
Reform Jews believe it will be the good actions of humans that will bring a Messianic age of peace.
2 reasons why there are different views about the Messiah
1) No definite teachings about the Messiah in the Torah therefore passages that Jews think are relevant have to be interpreted
2) Jews strongly believe that humans should focus on the here and now
What is the Tenakh?
The Jewish Bible
What does the Torah say about when the Messiah will come
There are no references in the Torah for when the Messiah may come. Some Jews believe this is because the Torah was written for people to understand and the idea of the messianic age is beyond understanding
Orthodox Jews on when the Messiah will come
Orthodox Jews believe that God has a specific date for the coming of the Messiah however most believe that the coming of the Messiah will depend on when he is most needed.
Why will the Messiah be needed?
Because of the sins of the world or because the world is so good
Reform Jews on when the Messiah will come
They don’t focus on the coming of the Messiah as their main focus is on Jews looking forward to a better society
The traditional belief of what the Messiah will do?
The traditional belief is that the Messiah will be a great political leader and judge who will bring the world to an end
Other Jewish beliefs on what the Messiah will do
Some Jews believe he will not be a supernatural being but a human who is descended from King David. Many other Jews believe that in every generation a person is born with the potential to be the Messiah